It took all three games of the best-of-three series to decide College baseball’s Division I National Champion. In the end, after three intense games, the University of Virginia defeated Vanderbilt University for the title.
Each year, collegiate baseball teams from around the country strive to earn the opportunity for a trip to Omaha, Neb., and a spot in the College World Series tournament. The schools that competed for the chance at the title had up to 35 players per roster, with many sharing ties to Little League®. Each former Little Leaguer® has his own story of how baseball transitioned from fun with friends into a passion to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Little League is a leadership training program that teaches good sportsmanship, teamwork and determination. Both Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia traveled to Omaha with Little League alumni on their rosters. Little League International congratulates those former Little Leaguers who continue to proudly display the life lessons learned as children.
Little League alumni representing the University of Virginia were: Kenny Towns (infielder, Burke, VA.), Bennett Sousa (pitcher, North Palm Beach, FL), Mark Ostbye (pitcher, Haddonfield, N.J.), Matt Thaiss (catcher, Jackson, N.J.) and Joe McCarthy (outfielder, Scranton, Pa.). The former Little Leaguers from Vanderbilt University were: Ben Bowden (pitcher, Lynn, Mass.), Walker Buehler (pitcher, Lexington, Ky.), Tyler Ferguson (pitcher, Williamsville, N.Y.), Brendan Spagnuolo (pitcher, Massapequa, N.Y.), Jordan Sheffield (pitcher, Tullahoma, Tenn.) Rhett Wiseman (outfield, Mansfield, Mass.) and Will Toffey (infield, Barnstrable, Mass.).
If you know of any other former Little Leaguers that played in the College World Series, or are currently playing in the Minor or Major Leagues during the 2015 season, please e-mail [email protected] with their name, current Major League team and the name of the city or town where they played.